Twelve Arabia series worth knowing, from what we actually stock
Arabia made a great many series, and the names blur together.
This page covers the ones we take in most often. Not everything that exists — only things we have actually handled. That should be more useful.
How to read the series
Patterned or plain. Some, like Paratiisi or Anemone, are led by the decoration. Others, like Ruska, are led by the glaze itself.
Painted or printed. Hand-painting versus silkscreen transfer. The later the decade, the more transfer.
For using or for hanging. Everyday ware versus wall plates and objects. Arabia invested seriously in the latter.
1. Paratiisi
1969, Birger Kaipiainen. Violets and fruit filling the surface — the best-known Arabia series. Multicoloured and black versions exist.
2. Ruska
Ulla Procopé. In production 1961 to 1999. Powdered iron sprayed over the glaze gives every piece a different brown. Excellent alongside Japanese ware.
3. Moomin
Large-scale production from 1990, drawn by Tove Slotte. Discontinued mugs are what collectors look for.
4. Botanica
Esteri Tomula's wall plates, 1978 to 1989, with the plant's Latin name handwritten beneath. One of the series we stock most deeply.
5. Anemone
Ulla Procopé. A floral design running from plates to egg cups. Patterned without being loud, and easy to use.
6. Kosmos
Scattered small flowers, in subdued colours that lean neither Western nor Japanese. Most often seen in cups.
7. Krokus
The spring crocus. Some pieces carry a grey rim, which tightens the whole impression. Cups and saucers are the popular form.
8. Pomona
Fruit motifs, mostly on smaller items such as jam pots. Cherries, lingonberries — the fruit changes the character. Suited to breakfast.
9. Pastoraali
Esteri Tomula. Handled serving trays, cutting boards: the supporting cast of a table.
10. The spice pots
Tomula again — Kanel, Ingefära, Kardemumma, Nejlika. Each painted with the plant the spice comes from: a reminder that things which vanish into powder once had leaves and flowers.
11. Aatami
Lidded jars and similar. Quiet single colours, easy to leave out.
12. Teema
Kaj Franck's series, with the decoration stripped away entirely. The opposite philosophy to everything above. Build a collection of vintage Arabia and this is what starts to earn its place.
Where to start
For daily use — Ruska, Anemone, Teema. Begin with a side plate.
One piece for guests — Paratiisi. Strong enough to set the table on its own.
To hang and look at — Botanica, and the wall plaques.
To collect gradually — spice pots and egg cups. Easy to add one at a time.
Arabia at Wasurenagusa
None of these are always in stock. Everything is chosen individually by the shop owner at Swedish flea markets, so we may never meet the same piece twice.
